Synopsis

A mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett) and an ardent young Japanese warrior Yoshi (Gackt) both arrive in a town that has been terrorized by outrageous and virulent criminals. Each is obsessed with his separate mission, and guided by the wisdom of The Bartender (Woody Harrelson) at the Horseless Horseman Saloon, the two eventually join forces to bring down the corrupt and contemptuous reign of Nicola (Ron Perlman), the awesomely evil woodcutter and his lady Alexandra (Demi Moore), a femme fatale with a secret past. This classic tale is re-vitalized and re-imagined in an entirely fresh visual context, set in a unique world that mixes skewed reality with shadow-play fantasy, a place where even the landscape can betray you. Heroes triumph here only because the force of their will transforms and transcends both space and time. The world of BUNRAKU is past and present, fantasy and reality, Samurai and Western all combined. Like SIN CITY and 300, it gives classic conflict a whole new graphically supercharged dynamic. Resonating through a wide range of cultures and showcasing a mind-blowing array of martial arts disciplines, BUNRAKU is a fresh arena for breathtaking fight action.

In a hyper-saturated, hyper-driven dystopia, guns are banned and the sword is king.

Nicola the Woodcutter is the most powerful man east of the Atlantic, a shadowy crime boss who rules with an iron fist and nine assassins, plus the deadly Red Gang. His right hand man is Killer #2, a cold-hearted, smooth-talking murderer with a red hat and a deadly blade. Along with his killers is Nicola’s love, Alexandra, a femme fatale with a secret past. The citizens live in fear of this gang and wait for the hero who can overthrow them.

One night, a mysterious drifter enters the Headless Horseman Saloon and talks to the bartender. He wants two things: a shot of whisky and to kill Nicola. Soon, another stranger enters, a samurai named Yoshi. Yoshi wants to avenge his father by recovering a talisman that Nicola stole from his clan. Armed with crossed destinies and incredible fighting skills and guided by the bartender’s wisdom, the two eventually join forces to bring down the corrupt reign of Nicola, breaking bones and cracking heads in search of the Woodcutter.